1. How to download and install PrestaShop
PrestaShop is a free shopping cart system. Before you can begin installing it, you will need to go to http://www.prestashop.com
1) Click Downloads.
2) Optionally enter your email and information to subscribe to updates and click Download.
3) Click Download.
4) Choose to Save the file and click OK.
5) Once the download has completed, browse to where the file is located and unzip the folder.
You will now need to upload the entire folder to your server. For this tutorial, we will use FileZilla.
You will need to enter the host name and your username and password, then browse to the folder where you want to upload PrestaShop.
6) Double click the folder to open it.
7) Press Control + A to select the entire contents of the upload folder.
8) Now drag and drop the files into FileZilla.
9) Once all the files have been uploaded, go to your web browser and enter the address where you uploaded PrestaShop.
Now, we will go through the steps to install PrestaShop.
10) You must agree to the license conditions in order to install PrestaShop.
11) Click Next.
The database host is entered by default. If it is different than the information shown, you can change it now.
12) You will also need to create a database on the server before continuing.
13) Enter the username, password, and database name you created.
14) Select the Database Engine to use.
15) Click Verify Now.
If you see this message, then PrestaShop was successfully able to connect to your database.
16) Click Next.
17) Type a name for your shop here.
18) Select the Main Activity for your store.
19) Select your default country and the shop’s timezone from the dropdown menus. Also, you can choose to upload your own logo.
20) Enter your personal information here including your first and last name, e-mail address, and the shop password.
21) Click Next.
If you see this page, PrestaShop has been successfully installed.
You now have the choice to view your store front or go to the admin panel to begin setting up your store. Don’t forget to delete or rename your installation directory.
That’s it! Now you know how to download PrestaShop and install it on your server.
How to Download and Install PrestaShop
Prerequisites
Before you begin, ensure that your server meets the following requirements:
- PHP 7.1 or higher
- MySQL 5.6 or higher or MariaDB 10.1 or higher
- Apache 2.2 or higher or Nginx
- At least 128MB of RAM (256MB recommended)
- An FTP client (e.g., FileZilla) and access to your server’s control panel
Step 1: Download PrestaShop
- Visit the official PrestaShop website.
- Navigate to the download section and click on the download button to get the latest version of PrestaShop. This will download a ZIP file containing all necessary files.
Step 2: Upload PrestaShop Files to Your Server
- Extract the downloaded ZIP file on your local machine.
- Open your FTP client (such as FileZilla) and connect to your server using your FTP credentials.
- Upload the extracted files to your desired directory on the server, typically within the
public_html
orwww
directory.
Step 3: Create a Database for PrestaShop
- Log in to your hosting control panel (e.g., cPanel, Plesk).
- Navigate to the database section (usually under “MySQL Databases”).
- Create a new database and note down the database name, username, and password. Ensure that the new user has all privileges for the database.
Step 4: Configure and Install PrestaShop
- Open your web browser and go to the URL where you uploaded the PrestaShop files. This will initiate the installation process.
- Follow the on-screen instructions:
- Select your language: Choose the language for your PrestaShop installation.
- License Agreement: Read and accept the license agreement to proceed.
- System Compatibility: Ensure your server meets all the system requirements. If any issues are detected, resolve them before proceeding.
- Store Information: Fill in your store information, including store name, country, and time zone. Create an account for the store administrator.
- Database Configuration: Enter the database details (database name, username, password, and server address). Click “Test your database connection now” to ensure everything is set up correctly.
- Once all the details are correctly entered, click “Next” to start the installation process.
Step 5: Finalize Installation
- After the installation is complete, you will see a success message.
- For security reasons, delete the
/install
directory from your server using your FTP client. - Access your PrestaShop admin panel by navigating to the URL provided at the end of the installation process, usually something like
yourdomain.com/admin123
.
Step 6: Configure Your PrestaShop Store
- Log in to the PrestaShop admin panel using the credentials you created during the installation process.
- Start configuring your store by setting up your products, categories, payment methods, and shipping options.
- Customise the appearance of your store using themes and modules available in the PrestaShop marketplace.
Tips for Optimisation and Security
- Regular Backups: Ensure you regularly back up your PrestaShop files and database.
- Update PrestaShop: Keep your PrestaShop installation up to date to benefit from the latest features and security patches.
- Secure Your Admin Panel: Change the default admin URL to something unique and complex to prevent unauthorised access.
- SSL Certificate: Install an SSL certificate to secure data transmission between your customers and your website.